Top 10 Best Interiors of 2014

Considering we spend a lot of our time inside our cars, it’s worth noting which vehicles in today’s marketplace have the best interiors.

Ward’s Auto has presented its annual top 10 list of best interiors and some of the vehicles on the list might surprise you. From luxury to affordable compacts, the publication spent two months evaluating a total of 41 vehicles to determine which interiors had the best ergonomics, driver information, fit-and-finish, materials, value, safety, comfort and design harmony.

The top 10 list is simply done in alphabetical order, so no one interior is technically better than the other.

The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray stormed onto the scene, as the sports car’s seventh-generation model brought refinement and performance to a whole new level. This time around however, the American automaker put a keen focus on the Stingray’s interior in order to make it more competitive with European rivals from Porsche and Jaguar.

With options available including carbon fiber trim, a suede-like microfiber headliner and contrast stitching on the comfortable bucket seats, the Corvette Stingray is as luxurious as it is sporty. Of course, you can’t mention the Corvette Stingray’s interior without noting the instrument cluster and center display that features configurable digital graphics that gives the driver a clear view at all the car’s vitals.

Perhaps most importantly, a Corvette made the cut. In the past, their cabins were reviled for being uncomfortable and budget-biased.

The all-new Chrysler 200 is arguably the brand’s best midsize sedan yet and the interior is one of the biggest reasons why. With subtle and lovely ambient lighting, the 200’s interior is further highlighted by contrast piping on the leather seats, an ergonomically ideal angled center console and a unique sliding cupholder. There’s also an exquisite one-piece matte-finish wood veneer that accents the steering column, instrument cluster and center stack. The back seat is extra roomy and the 200 comes packed with new-age self-parking technology. La dee da.

Trucks don’t necessarily have to have boring, rugged interiors. In fact, GMC is out to prove luxury and comfort can come bundled with practicality. While Ward’s did put the Chevrolet Silverado High Country to the test as well, the Sierra Denali scored slightly higher –if you can believe it – than its stable mate thanks to excellent build quality, rugged practicality and classy brushed metallic trim. Best of all, the truck comes with plenty of storage cubbies, a huge center console and even comes with necessities for harsh weather conditions such as heated and cooled front seats and a heated steering wheel.

Ever since its debut, the Hyundai Equus has strived to capture the hearts of luxury car buyers worldwide. The redesigned Equus and its higher-end Ultimate model mimics the interior comfort you’d expect in a limousine and features materials that rival vehicles in the six-digit price range. With plenty of room in the second row, the rear seats even recline and offers a massage feature. There’s even a “relax” button located in the rear center console that fully reclines the seat and pushes the empty front passenger seat forward to maximize legroom. The Equus Ultimate’s interior makes a strong statement that Hyundai is a serious competitor in the luxury marketplace.

The all-new Jeep Cherokee Limited might have controversial exterior styling, but there’s nothing to argue about inside the cabin. Borrowing cues from the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the sibling in the lineup does a fantastic job blending urban comfort with the rugged outdoors. Controls are large and easily accessible. Everything is easy to use while remaining true to hardcore Jeep enthusiasts, blending the best of both worlds in the new Cherokee.

Surprised to see the Kia Soul+ on the list? Don’t judge a book by its cover. The funky compact model saw its cabin redesigned with outstanding comfort, space, ergonomics and most importantly, value. The two-tone scheme found in the Soul’s interior is further accented by a trendy accent stitching while the instrument panel features an upright design that connects nicely with the vehicle. Everything about the inside of the Soul matches the outside: groovy and unique, but rather practical and functional. Options for the Soul include an eight-inch navigation screen, back up camera, panoramic roof, Infinity audio system and lighted speakers.

Named AutoGuide‘s Car of the Year, the Mazda 3’s interior combines premium with sport and carries some of the luxury amenities found in the larger Mazda6. The affordable Mazda3 has a cabin that goes above and beyond its competitors with impeccable styling choices, a sophisticated central controller and advanced safety features such as radar-based adaptive cruise control, collision warning and lane departure warning. Younger buyers will appreciate the contrast stitching that’s available in red, white and black along with the heads-up display and metallic accents.

It’s not a surprise to see Mercedes-Benz‘s luxury flagship sedan to be on the list, considering that’s what the company does. Opening the doors to the S550 presents you with luxury style with options that go over-the-top when it comes to automotive engineering. If you think we’re exaggerating, passengers in the S550 can enjoy a hot-stone massage treatment, built-in pillows for the reclining rear seats and a double-wide display screen. But what the S550 truly offers compared to the competition are its high-tech features including autonomous driving at low speeds.

Look, if your vehicle’s interior features a fiber-optic headliner that projects a starry night, it’s almost a shoe-in as one of the best interiors available. The Rolls-Royce Wraith is by far the most expensive vehicle on the list and for good reason. The British automaker prides itself on careful cabin detailing and the Wraith’s cabin is arguably in a class of its own. Don’t be surprised to see lambswool floormats and Brazilian rosewood as those are just some of the exotic materials available to customers

Taking sport to a whole new level is the seventh-generation Volkswagen Golf GTI, which will go on sale this year in the U.S. Bright red stitching contrasts the dark accessories such as the steering wheel and shift boot while brushed metallic accents assures this is German engineering at work. The user-friendly touchscreen delivers all the important information a driver needs while those really looking for something different can opt for the plaid-seat inserts seen above.